Mount Cook Adventure Centre reaches new heights ahead of its opening this summer with building work entering the final phase, planning permission received for an on-site high ropes course and the addition of a unique rooftop classroom.

With the construction of the roof due to take place at the end of March, the state of the art adventure centre is rapidly taking shape. The recently approved high ropes course will provide an exhilarating opportunity for visitors to try a new experience and enjoy an aerial perspective of the disused quarry within the Centre grounds. The building’s 10ft high rooftop classroom will offer impressive panoramic views of the local landscape, and an inspiring, unconventional outdoor teaching space for star-gazing and group activities.

Building work which took place last month saw the completion of the first floor.

Founded by local outdoor enthusiasts Colin Adams and Robin Sibson, the Mount Cook vision is to encourage people to stretch beyond their personal boundaries and develop new skills through outdoor activities and learning. Predominately focused on providing school children and young people with the opportunity to get out and enjoy the outdoors, the not-for-profit organisation is now pleased to further expand its offering to include family adventure breaks, adult groups, and celebratory and corporate events.

We are committed to providing access to the outdoors to as many groups as possible, and we welcome people of all ages and abilities to our Centre. We’re due to host a birthday party this summer and a wedding in the Autumn, and we can’t wait to cater for more events in the future. The Centre itself has made great progress in such a short space of time, and we look forward to our first guests arriving in the summer.

— Colin Adams, Mount Cook Director and Co-Founder

The Architect's vision.

On completion, Mount Cook Adventure Centre will accommodate 130 guests in en suite rooms with wheel-chair accessible facilities, and will sleep a further 40 guests in the secure camping paddock on site. The eco-building will use solar power to generate hot water and electricity, rain water collection to flush toilets and ground heat harnessed to warm the rooms.

Black Rocks, perfect for climbing and abseiling.

Set in 5 acres of ground, the centre is a short distance from Black Rocks climbing area, the High Peak Trail, Carsington Reservoir and UNESCO World Heritage Sites Cromford Mill and Derwent Valley Mills. The centre will use local facilities to provide a range of adventure activities from rock climbing, kayaking and orienteering, and will also offer an educational insight into the local history and mining heritage of the area.

Watch our latest time lapse video to see the progress Mount Cook has made since December 2015: